Redeemed: the Story of the Unfaithful Bride

Sermon Notes

Redeemed: the Story of the Unfaithful Bride
Hosea 3
Taylor Mendoza, Junior High Intern

Introduction: As God beckons Israel back to Himself through His redeeming love, constant unfaithfulness requires Hosea to go again and love a woman who is an adulteress. Today, adultery creates dramatic conflict for our sitcoms, and is a main headline of our news stories. Our culture embraces it. As one theologian puts it, “we are an adulterous generation.” In a hostile culture we must answer questions like: How do we make sense of God’s love for us? What are we really guilty of? And, who are the redeemed ones?

Note: If you miss a point or quote, visit northpointcorona.org and click on “Resources” to find today’s sermon slides or to listen to the sermon (both will be posted tomorrow afternoon).

01. The Metaphor

02. The Confrontation

03. The Redeemed

Questions for Discussion & Discovery

1. Who are the characters in the metaphor in verse 1? What do the two human characters seem to represent?

2. What do you think Hosea means by the love that God has for the children of Israel? Think about Israel and their history.

3. What is the significance of buying back Gomer in verse 2?

4. Why do you think Hosea must separate himself from Gomer for a time?

5. How does that separation relate to the separation that the Israelites will have in exile? For further study, research the religious significance of each item.

6. Reflect on what it means to seek and return to the Lord in verse 5. How can you reconcile the Lord’s goodness and the fear of Him?

Sermon Slides

1. 01. God uses an object lesson, often times a person, in order to clarify a spiritual truth.

2. “The land commits great whoredom by forsaking the Lord.” – Hosea 1:2

3. “Ephraim is joined to idols.” – Hosea 4:17

4. 02. Idolatry is the spiritual reality of those who turn away from God.

5. “In one word, idolatry is a natural product of man’s heart. It is a weed which, like the earth uncultivated, the heart is always ready to bring forth.” – J.C. Ryle

6. “This was enchanted Turkish Delight and that anyone who had once tasted it would want more and more of it, and would even, if they were allowed, go on eating it till they killed themselves.” – C.S. Lewis

“The children of Judah and the children of Israel shall be gathered together, and they shall appoint one head.” – Hosea 1:11

8. 03. The Redeemed (Bride of Christ) are those bought back from idolatry and brought into union with Christ.

9. “The gospel sounds the voice of our Husband who has proven his love for us and who calls for our undivided love in return. The gospel reveals that, as we look out into the universe, ultimate reality is not cold, dark, blank space; ultimate reality is romance. There is a God above with love in his eyes for us and infinite joy to offer us, and he has set himself upon winning our hearts for himself alone.” – Ray Ortlund Jr.